Delays after delays, but Discovery gave it a shot and reached its destination i.e. ISS but the real task after the night time launch has just begun. The shuttle docked with the ISS at 1706 EST (2206 GMT) on Monday, ahead of a week-long stay to carry out a range of tasks that even NASA has described as one of the most complex missions to date. While in orbit with the space station, Discovery astronauts are scheduled to perform three spacewalks, and wire new solar arrays into the ISS power grid. This will need to be done without interrupting the station’s life-support and other critical systems. Two astronauts have carried out the first spacewalk of Space Shuttle Discovery’s 12-day mission to the International Space Station. The pair installed a truss that forms the backbone of the station during their walk of more than six hours.
Earlier, the crew used a camera on the ISS’s robotic arm to examine an area on the shuttle’s left wing where sensors detected a “very low” impact. Engineers will examine data gathered during the inspection of the shuttle’s wing before deciding whether any further inspections are necessary.
The New Thing Here
One of the most complex missions till date and the most thrilling of them all is being carried out by the greenest crew in eight years when it comes to spaceflight experience. Five astronauts have never flown in a shuttle before. It also is among the most culturally diverse of any shuttle crew. The example is all set of how we coexist in the future. This also comes with a good answer to those who raised questions on the scientific value of the space station. ISS being an international project are doing a lot of science now for the progress of humanity, but it has to come at a cost, but that shouldn’t be a point of concern anymore. The first step towards living as one unified entity has become a success.
Via: BBC
